Mental Health

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Basic Crisis Counseling Program model identifies six phases of a disaster.

Six Phases of a Disaster

1. Pre-disaster phase:

Disasters with no warning can cause feelings of vulnerability and lack of security, fear of the future or fear of unpredicted tragedies, and a sense of loss of control or inability to protect oneself and family.

Disasters with warning can cause guilt or self-blame for failure to heed warnings.

Opportunities are available for a crisis team to gain entrée to impacted people and build relationships.

5. Disillusionment phase:

Physical exhaustion may surface, and optimism turns into discouragement.

Increased need for substance abuse services may begin to surface.

Reality of losses sets in. Diminishing assistance leads to feelings of abandonment. Stress and fatigue take a toll. The larger community returns to business as usual.

The crisis team may have increased demand for services, as individuals and communities begin to assume responsibility for rebuilding their lives.

People adjust to a new “normal,” while continuing to grieve losses. There is recognition of growth and opportunity.

6. Reconstruction phase:

The reconstruction process may continue for years. Individuals and communities begin to assume responsibility for rebuilding their lives.

People adjust to a new "normal," while continuing to grieve losses. There is recognition of growth and opportunity.

It is important to note that the key to assisting those exposed to a disaster is to identify which of the six phases of a disaster a person is operating from at the time of an encounter. Not understanding these phases will decrease significantly the level of communication and trust one might otherwise establish. Additionally, at-risk-populations are particularly vulnerable.

At-Risk Populations

Children, youth, and adults with children

Older adults

People with prior trauma history

People with serious mental illnesses

People with disabilities

People with a history of substance abuse

Low-income groups

First responders and public safety workers

By utilizing the Phases of Disaster approach, all of us will be better equipped to help one another without the need for formal training in mental health, while at the same time dispelling the myths and rumors regarding mental illness. By doing so, we reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and are able to see those affected by a disaster as simply ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances.

What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

After a trauma or life threatening event, it is common to have upsetting memories of what happened, have trouble sleeping, feel jumpy, or lose interest in things you used to enjoy. For some people these reactions do not go away on their own; they may even get worse over time. These people may have Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).